After the Chu Yan case was closed, I was nearly driven mad by Bald Qiang pestering me. He kept calling every few days, trying to get me to eat with him. I refused every time. He even mailed me a big gold chain—I returned it.
What was even more ridiculous was that he sent a flashy escort girl to my school to find me. She tried hard to look innocent, but that sly vixen aura was impossible to hide. The whole campus buzzed about it for days!
With his background and education, throwing money and beauties at someone was the best way he could think of to repay me. But honestly, I hadn't done much—just cracked a case. I figured he was trying to cozy up to me.
I called him and told him to stop bothering me. Bald Qiang chuckled, "Brother Song, I've only ever respected two men in my life: the Boss, and you. You cracked such a tough case in just a few days—two words: badass! You're my big brother from now on."
I said, "Making friends is fine, but keep it simple and straightforward. Cut the crap, will you? Besides, I'm not a cop, so what good does cozying up to me do?"
Bald Qiang said, "Even if you're not a cop, you're better than one. I did my homework—you've got a solid reputation in the police force and even call the chief 'brother.' If I'm not hitching my wagon to you, who else?"
Turns out the Black Panther Gang was picking a new boss amid major shake-ups. Bald Qiang, as a loyalist to the former boss, was desperate to latch on to someone with influence in the police. If he could run with the cops, he could rule the gang.
But no way was I accepting favors from him—how could I face Huang Xiaotao after that?
A few days later, Bald Qiang showed up at my dorm uninvited. I was online when he knocked at the door.
...
...
His whole presence screamed "gangster," and my roommates were terrified. I stood up and said, "Damn, what are you doing at our school?"
Bald Qiang looked embarrassed. Then another man stepped out behind him—a twenty-something with diamond studs in his ears. Though dressed sharply in a suit, his vibe was anything but a regular office worker.
The man coldly said, "You must be Song Yang. Come with me for a chat."
Wang Dali pulled out his phone and mouthed, "Should I call campus security?" I waved him off; I had no beef with these guys, and security wouldn't help anyway.
In the hallway, I noticed they weren't alone—a bunch of henchmen trailed behind.
The man slapped Bald Qiang on the head, then looked at me. "I hear you cracked my father's case? Bald Qiang won't spill who the killer is, so I came straight to you."
Turns out this guy was the Black Panther Gang's heir. Bald Qiang dared not make a move in front of him. That's when I noticed the bruise spreading across Bald Qiang's mouth—he'd been roughed up.
I'd heard the gang was in internal turmoil, fighting over who would become the next boss. Whoever avenged the old boss would take over. Bald Qiang seemed to have a conscience and didn't want to see Chu Yan and her father killed, so he kept quiet.
I looked the heir in the eye and said, "Sorry, I was part of the investigation. This case is a police secret, so I can't share details. One thing though—your father's death wasn't gang-related."
The heir stepped closer and reached out his hand. I braced for a punch, but instead he just fixed my collar. Movie villains do that all the time to intimidate—the kid was definitely a '90s baby who'd watched too many films.
He whispered, "Just tell me one name. When I become boss, I'll give you a villa."
I stepped back, "No comment."
He turned to Bald Qiang, "Then you tell me."
Bald Qiang shivered. "Prince, I'm stupid. I really don't know who the killer is…"
"Then let me enlighten you!"
The heir made a gesture. Instantly, his men began beating Bald Qiang with fists and kicks. Bald Qiang curled up on the floor, silently taking it.
A few basketball players coming back saw the scene and ran away in fear.
I felt sick but powerless. Bald Qiang was a tough guy, but if he just said "Chu Yan," the beating would stop. Yet he wouldn't give in, not even under torture.
This burly gangster truly cared for the angelic Chu Yan. When she died, every Valentine's Day he'd bring 999 roses to her grave. But that's a story for another time.
I yelled, "Enough!"
The heir signaled to stop and smirked at me. "I know you're in the police. I'm not after you, just disciplining my men."
He shoved a business card in my pocket. "Call me before tomorrow, or I'll break Bald Qiang until he talks. One of you will."
I shot back, "If you hurt him, I'll arrest you!"
He laughed, bent down, and patted Bald Qiang's face mockingly. "Who did this to you?"
Bald Qiang cowered, "No… no one. I fell myself."
The heir glared at me, "You don't understand our gang. If I want to kill a man, even if he's a ghost, he won't tell the truth. Let's go."
They carried Bald Qiang away. He glanced back at me—eyes full of sorrow and helplessness, silently begging me not to say Chu Yan's name.
After they left, Wang Dali and the others peeked out from the door. "Song Yang, you scared me! They didn't hurt you, right?"
I shook my head, feeling utterly drained. I called Huang Xiaotao and explained. She said, "This is tough. The gang's hierarchy is strict, and people often disappear mysteriously. We can't do much."
I couldn't sleep all night. Thinking of Bald Qiang suffering torture tore at my heart. We weren't friends, but we shared a secret—he was the hostage the prince used to threaten me.
I called Sun Lao Hu for help. He hesitated, "Nephew, this is tricky. They're gangsters, but as long as they don't break the law, we can't touch them. Police aren't all-powerful."
I said, "But they're torturing Bald Qiang now!"
He sighed, "If that's true, we can investigate afterward to clear his name. But we can't act on just a verbal threat. Think about it—Bald Qiang chose this life. Trouble was bound to come. And he's a criminal himself, no need to pity him."
I hung up, bitter and disillusioned. No matter how many connections you have in the force, rules can't be broken.
Just like with Xiao Lanlan's death, no one could speak for her. Only a girl like Chu Yan would risk everything to take down a gang boss for revenge.
That sleepless night passed. The next morning, as Wang Dali brushed his teeth, someone knocked. Opening the door, he shouted, "Song Yang, your package is here! Did you order seafood?"
I got up and saw a plastic insulated box dripping with water and heavy in my hands—filled with ice.
I was puzzled—I hadn't ordered anything online lately. Wang Dali kept urging me to open it, joking it might be hairy crabs, fat and ripe this season.
But the moment I opened it, Wang Dali screamed and almost fell over. Inside the box was a single, bloodied human ear.
I stared at the ear and noticed a diamond stud piercing it—something familiar. Suddenly, it all clicked…